In a diplomatic breakthrough, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed an agreement Tuesday in Cairo to resume cooperation, including nuclear inspections suspended after a 12-day war with Israel in June that damaged key facilities.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty mediated the talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, hailing the framework as a step toward de-escalation amid looming European threats to reinstate U.N. sanctions on Tehran.

The accord, titled “Technical Modalities for Implementation of Inspections between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IAEA,” outlines practical steps for restarting verification activities while addressing Iran's security concerns following Israeli and U.S. strikes on sites like Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Grossi described it as “an important step in the right direction,” noting in a post on X that he and Araghchi agreed on modalities to resume inspections. Araghchi emphasized that the deal respects Iran's sovereignty and safeguards its people's security, warning that any “hostile act,” such as reimposing U.N. sanctions, would void the agreement. Iran suspended IAEA cooperation in June after its parliament passed a law requiring Supreme National Security Council approval for inspections, citing the attacks as justification.

Egypt's mediation efforts, ongoing for three months, facilitated the meeting at Tahrir Palace, where Abdelatty stressed the need for a “satisfactory and sustainable” settlement that builds trust and supports regional stability. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tamim Khallaf told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo would continue diplomatic pushes to resolve the nuclear issue for all parties' benefit.

The trio also met Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who praised the deal as a positive move toward non-proliferation while upholding peaceful nuclear rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The timing is critical, as the IAEA's Board of Governors began meetings in Vienna this week.